Is private school cheaper in Irving or Waco?

Waco has lower average private school tuition at $10,100/year vs $12,000/year in Irving. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Waco over Irving?

Average tuition in Waco is $1,900/year less than Irving. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,200/year in Irving, $6,900/year in Waco.

How do Irving and Waco private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Irving averages $12,000/year ($350 below average). Waco averages $10,100/year ($2,250 below average).

Private School Cost: Irving vs Waco

Waco averages $1,900/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Waco is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,100/year vs $12,000/year in Irving. Religious schools run $6,900/year on the low end.

Irving

$12,000

avg tuition/year

$350 below national avg

Waco

$10,100

avg tuition/year

$2,250 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Irving	Waco	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$12,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$1,900
Religious Schools	$8,200/yr	$6,900/yr	+$1,300
Independent/Prep	$25,400/yr	$21,300/yr	+$4,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,200/yr	$8,600/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$12,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$1,900
High School (9-12)	$14,400/yr	$12,100/yr	+$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Irving

$156,000

Waco

$131,300

Choosing Waco saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

Sample Schools

Irving

Heritage Christian Academy (Irving)

Christian · PK–12 · $9,600-$12,200/yr

Cistercian Preparatory School

Independent (Catholic) · 5–12 · $24,200/yr

Waco

Vanguard College Preparatory

Christian · 6–12 · $12,400/yr

Reicher Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,200/yr

Full Irving breakdown → Full Waco breakdown →

Texas private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.